Church Professionals Commission

2023

• Rev. Kathleen A. Nice, Teaching Elder Transitional General Presbyter   
• Rev David L. Bubb, Char, Teaching Elder      
• Ms. Carol Evans, Ruling Elder
• Mrs. Mary French, Ruling Elder
• Dr. Mark A. Johnson, Commissioned Ruling Elder

2024

• Rev. Ronald N. Johnson, Teaching Elder
• Ms. Susan Dietz, Ruling Elder
• Ms. Elizabeth E. Tietz, Commissioned Ruling Elder
• Rev. Joel Esala, Teaching Elder

2025

• Mr. Joseph Amponsah, Ruling Elder
• Rev. Joon Won Lee, Teaching Elder
• Rev. Charlotte O’Neil, Teaching Elder
• Rev. Leland Platt, Teaching Elder

An annual church retreat is held in the fall to provide pastors and church professionals:

• Educational support
• Spiritual retreat
• Sense of community

Healthy Boundaries

For over three decades, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has acknowledged that sexual misconduct and exploitation have existed in its churches and among its members. Healthy Boundaries presents a positive approach to professional conduct and responsibilities. Periodic Healthy Boundaries training is required for all Church Professionals.

Care Task Team:
Rev. Jeff Jaynes, Chair

• Inquirer intake interviews
• Midwest career assessments
• Communications with general assembly
• Liaison to inquirers and candidates
• Annual consultants with inquirers and candidates
• Annual consultations with inquirers and candidates
• Guiding individual candidates processes

Examination and Credentials Task Team:

• Inquirer to candidate examinations
• Clearing candidates
• Examine pastors entering presbytery and from other denominations
• Ordination exams/proctors/readers
• Standards for ordination process

Care of Church Professionals Task Team:

• Mentor new pastors
• Liaison to pastors
• Pastor support team

The CRE program is an expansion of the church’s mission in a changing world. The ministry of Commissioned Pastors brings a marvelous richness to a congregation’s ministry and to the Presbytery’s mission. Commissioned Pastors are partners in mission as we seek to bring the good news of Christ to an ever-changing culture.

Although many CREs serve as part time pastors of small churches, there are other roles to which a person might be commissioned such as a parish associate or a member of a ministry team.

The program consists of core courses, practice of ministry courses and a nine month supervised field education experience, alternative clinical experience, communication and training on ethics and healthy boundaries.